Hundreds Of State Laws Go Into Effect Today

RICHMOND — The approved legislation affects everyone from military families to underage drinkers.

It might be hard to believe, but the 2006 General Assembly has not been one big rolling controversy over the state budget and transportation spending.

State lawmakers did find time to justify their job description.

The 943 bills passed and signed into law by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine range from a sweeping crackdown on sexual predators to a measure aimed at finding the best buy on college textbooks.

With a few exceptions, the laws went into effect today.

Del. Phil Hamilton, R-Newport News, said lawmakers did significant work even though they didn't wrap up the budget until this week and still have major differences over transportation.

"I know people get frustrated with us, but I think when you look at it from a legislative and budget standpoint, there were tremendous accomplishments that the people of Virginia can be proud of,'' Hamilton said.

A leading Democrat in the House agreed in part.

"There are some significant bills that were under the radar because of transportation," said Del. Brian Moran, D-Alexandria. "But it's difficult to say it was a significant session because we failed to address transportation," he said.

On public safety, a series of new laws will move Virginia into the forefront when it comes to enforcement of sexual predators, supporters say.

Spearheaded by Attorney General Robert McDonnell with bipartisan support, the General Assembly toughened penalties for sexually violent predators and made changes to Virginia's online sex offender registry.

It revamped and expanded the civil commitment process, used for the most dangerous offenders whom the state wants confined even after they finish their jail time.

It also incorporates GPS tracking for offenders who are released.

The General Assembly got tough on owners of dangerous dogs -- prompted by the mauling death of Dorothy Sullivan, an 82-year-old widow from Spotsylvania County.

After a series of hearings, the legislature eventually approved a measure that requires dangerous dogs to be registered.

It also toughens penalties for owners of dangerous dogs that roam and attack people. Certain attacks are a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $2,500 fine.

In higher education, college professors will have to work harder to bring down the cost of college texts by signing an affidavit that they realize the cost of the required reading they assign and that new texts are necessary instead of reusing an older edition.

Students too often have been forced to shell out $600 for required reading and then resell the material at the end of the semester for only $50, said Del. Glenn Oder, R-Newport News, the bill's patron. That's because professors commonly update their course reading requirements, forcing students to purchase the latest edition of a text -- ones that often differ only in packaging or graphic displays.

"How much does Greek mythology change?'' wondered Oder, whose daughter recently graduated from the College of William and Mary. "These were common sense control measures to reduce the price of textbooks. This is a huge help when you go to sell your used books."

In public education, lawmakers agreed to a tax holiday on back-to-school supplies, to be held the first weekend of August. Some parents had belatedly complained that public school teachers often don't reveal book and supply needs until roughly a week before school starts.

Under the new law, book bags, notebooks, pens, calculators and the like that sell for $20 each or less will be exempt from the state 5 percent sales tax. Clothing and shoes priced at $100 or less will also be tax-free.

But there is a catch.

The state Department of Taxation has decided that any qualifying purchase that exceeds the price cap will be fully taxed. For example, a pair of shoes costing $99 won't be taxed while a pair of boots priced at $101 will be fully taxed. The tax holiday will begin at 12:01 a.m. Aug. 4 and last until midnight the following Sunday.

Other significant General Assembly measures:

* Offshore drilling. Lawmakers approved a wide-ranging state energy plan that includes a controversial decision to ask the federal government to allow drilling off Virginia's shoreline and end a 25-year moratorium on coastal drilling. The governor amended the measure so the state would support drilling only for gas, and only if conducted 50 miles or more offshore.

* Military tuition. To give military families a break with college costs, children of active-duty military personnel assigned to a permanent duty station in the state can receive in-state tuition. The Kaine administration says it could benefit up to 3,500 students.

* Health Insurance. A bill allows businesses with fewer than 50 employees to unite to purchase health coverage. Kaine made this issue a priority during his campaign because small businesses are struggling with the cost of benefits.

* Campus safety. Prompted by a study on campus crime, lawmakers established a state office to set standards for campus police departments. Virginia21, an advocacy group for young people, pushed for the study that led to the legislation.

* Underage drinking. Buying alcohol for minors will result not only in criminal penalties but also a one-year driver's license suspension. A related bill requires a six-month driver's license suspension for 18- to 21-year-olds who illegally buy alcohol, but a judge may opt to increase that suspension to a year.

* Disrupting funerals. Raising a ruckus at a funeral or memorial service will, as of today, be considered misdemeanor disorderly conduct. *